Active Programs

Iowa Hunter Education Classroom Course

Overview

Hunter education is a mandatory program that is designed to introduce students to several life-long skills that are important to many different types of outdoor recreational opportunities. The course teaches students basic survival and first aid skills, water safety, wildlife identification, and the basics of wildlife management, hunting laws, and firearm/archery safety. Hunter education also stresses the importance of individual responsibility and outdoor ethics.

Iowa law requires that anyone born after January 1, 1972 must be certified in hunter education before they are eligible to purchase an Iowa hunting license.

Typically there is no charge for the course, unless lunch is furnished or room rental is required. If a charge is required for the items mentioned previously, the class will indicate the amount to be charged in the special instructions section prior to completing the class registration process. All charges must be paid upon arrival to the class in the form of cash or check.

About the Class

Classroom courses are typically 12-15 hours in length and are held over 2 to 3 sessions (days). In order to receive certification, a student must attend all sessions (days) and pass the final exam.

Age-Related Information

We do not prevent attendance based on age; however:

Any child under 11 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during every session.

A person who is 11 years old or older may enroll in a course, but those who are 11 and successfully complete the course shall be issued a certificate which becomes valid on that person's 12th birthday.

Managed And Approved By:

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Iowa Hunter Education Field Day Course

Overview

Hunter education is a mandatory program that is designed to introduce students to several life-long skills that are important to many different types of outdoor recreational opportunities. The course teaches students basic survival and first aid skills, water safety, wildlife identification, and the basics of wildlife management, hunting laws, and firearm/archery safety. Hunter education also stresses the importance of individual responsibility and outdoor ethics.

Iowa law requires that anyone born after January 1, 1972 must be certified in hunter education before they are eligible to purchase an Iowa hunting license.

Typically there is no charge for the course, unless lunch is furnished or room rental is required. If a charge is required for the items mentioned previously, the class will indicate the amount to be charged in the special instructions section prior to completing the class registration process. All charges must be paid upon arrival to the class in the form of cash or check.

About the Class

Hunter Education Field Day courses are offered by knowledgeable and certified volunteer instructors and Iowa Conservation Officers.

Field Day courses are typically 4-5 hours in length and include firearms handling, ethics & responsibility, Iowa hunting laws, and a final exam. In order to receive certification, a student must successfully complete an Iowa approved online Hunter Education Course prior to registering and attending a field day. To locate an approved Iowa Online Hunter Education Course visit: www.iowadnr.gov/huntered. Both approved internet courses require a fee payable to the provider upon completion in order to receive a field day voucher. Students will be required to provide a field day voucher to the instructor upon arrival to the field day. The student must also pass the final exam in order to receive certification.

Age-Related Information

We do not prevent attendance based on age; however:

Any child under 11 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during every session.

A person who is 11 years old or older may enroll in a course, but those who are 11 and successfully complete the course shall be issued a certificate which becomes valid on that person's 12th birthday.

These programs are designed to provide the student with advanced knowledge and training on a particular topic of interest in order to further their understanding and success in the hunting field.

About the Class

Advanced Skills and Opportunities classes are typically one day in length and are held throughout the state.

Some classes require an additional charge for materials and supplies. If a class requires an additional charge, it will be indicated in the special instructions section prior to completing the class registration process. All charges must be paid upon arrival to the class in the form of cash or check.

Age-Related Information

Minimum age to register will vary upon the class type. Be sure to review the special instructions section during the registration process for any restrictions.

Managed And Approved By:

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Iowa Instructor Workshops

Overview

Instructor workshops are designed to provide training and updates to both new and certified instructors for Hunter Education and Advanced Hunter Education Programs. In order to attend a new instructor workshop you must obtain and complete a volunteer instructor application form. To receive an application or for more information on becoming a volunteer instructor please contact Hunter Education Administrator, Megan Wisecup at [email protected]

In order to attend a certified instructor workshop you must already be a certified volunteer instructor. THIS IS NOT A HUNTER EDUCATION CLASS FOR CERTIFICATION.

About the Class

Instructor workshops provide training and updates regarding Hunter Education and Advanced Hunter Education Programs for volunteer instructors. Volunteer instructors once certified are required by administrative rule to attend a certified instructor workshop once every two years in order to maintain their instructor certification.

Both new and certified instructor workshops are typically held annually in March throughout the state. New Instructor workshops are 7-8 hours in length and usually held on Saturdays. Certified Instructor Workshops are 3-4 hours in length and usually held in the evening on weekdays.

Age-Related Information

Instructors must be at least 18 years of age or older to attend.
Instructors also must submit to and pass a background check before certification is received.

Managed And Approved By:

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Hunter Education Camps

Overview

Hunter Education Camps are a great way to introduce youth to life-long skills that are important to many different types of outdoor recreational opportunities in a safe, controlled, hands-on environment. Camp instructors are DNR conservation officers, biologists and other personnel, county conservation board staff, volunteer Hunter Education Instructors, and members of NGO groups such as Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Whitetails Unlimited, Izaak Walton League, etc.

Iowa law requires that anyone born after January 1, 1972 must be certified in hunter education before they are eligible to purchase an Iowa hunting license.

Outdoor Journey for Girls (OJ) is a three-day, two-night workshop aimed at introducing outdoor skills to girls ages 12–15 in a supportive, learning environment where they have opportunities to try things “hands-on”. The outdoor skills include:

canoeing & water safety

fish & wildlife id

archery

firearm safety

basic shooting

furbearers

furharvesting

fishing

preparing the catch

conservation and management

outdoor gear & survival

orienteering & compass reading

game care

Participants can earn their Hunter Education certification. OJ is sponsored by Iowa Women in Natural Resources and the Iowa DNR, with Iowa Pheasants Forever chapters and other conservation organizations providing full or partial scholarships for most attendees. For more information on OJ, visit http://www.iwinr.com, or e-mail: [email protected].

Hunting and Conservation Camp for Boys (HACC) is designed to introduce a variety of outdoor skills to young men ages 12-15 in a supportive, learning environment where they have the opportunities to try things “hands-on”. Participants are allowed to experience outdoor skills such as:

shooting (shotguns, rifles, archery, and muzzleloaders)

trapping

dog training

hunting (waterfowl and turkey)

gun care/cleaning

game calling

conservation

Participants can earn their Hunter Education certification. HACC is sponsored by Iowa DNR and Pheasants Forever (PF), with PF providing full or partial scholarships for most attendees. For more information on HACC, visit: http://www.iowadnr.gov/hacc or contact Springbrook Conservation Education Center at 641-747-8383 or e-mail: [email protected].

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) is an international workshop aimed primarily at women, but is an opportunity for anyone 18 years or older to learn outdoor skills usually associated with hunting and fishing, but useful for many outdoor pursuits. The three day, two night workshop is for you if...

you have never tried these activities, but have hoped for an opportunity to learn.

you are a beginner who hopes to improve your skills.

you know how to do some of these activities, but would like to try your hand at some new ones.

you are looking for the camaraderie of like-minded individuals.

Attendees set their own schedule by choosing four of the following workshop options:

Mentored Outdoor Experience (MOE) is a Friday-Sunday workshop designed to allow inexperienced deer hunters the opportunity to obtain the knowledge to allow them to fully appreciate their activity, as well as participate in a controlled deer hunt with a mentor.

The program starts at 6:00pm on Friday with an educational program that evening and on Saturday morning. On Saturday afternoon we will start hunting on the park with more programs Saturday evening and hunting on Sunday.

The program is $150 which covers all the meals, lodging, instructors and materials for the hunter. An additional $28.50 is required to purchase a deer license, which will be done Saturday morning.

After harvesting your deer, you can have it processed by our local locker that will pick it up at the program, donate it to the HUSH (Help Us Stop Hunger) program, or take it home to be processed. More information can be found at www.iowadnr.gov/moe.

Managed And Approved By:

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Boater Education Program

Overview

The Iowa DNR Boater Education Program provides boater safety education to the public. There are approximately 234,335 registered boats in Iowa and over 300,000 acres of water to navigate upon. Education is the key to making these waterways safe for everyone to enjoy.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Iowa National Wild Turkey Federation

Overview

The NWTF — a national nonprofit organization — is the leader in upland wildlife habitat conservation in North America. The NWTF is dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage. For more information about the Iowa state chapter, see http://www.ianwtf.org/.

Through vital partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and our members have helped restore wild turkey populations throughout North America — from a mere 30,000 in the entire United States to more than 7 million across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Managed And Approved By:

Iowa NWTF

Iowa Pheasants Forever

Overview

Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs.
For more information see http://iowapf.net/.